Shinko or Kenda?

[tbmmbt]

06 Nomad needs a new front tire. Have a Michelin Commander now but have heard of some going with a Shinko or the Kenda. I am running the 130/90-16 now rather than the stock size 150. Any info on either would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[redjay]

I had a Commander II on the front of my bike but found the ride very harsh. A change to a Metzeler 888 was a more comfortable ride. I have no experience with the Kenda or Shinko and to be honest would never buy one.
I go for longevity and performance and price is secondary.

[tbmmbt]

The last Metzeler I had didn’t last long at all but maybe they are different now.

[redjay]

22,000 kms on the front Metzeler 888 with lots of tread left.

32,000 kms on the rear Commander II and it looks like it will last the rest of the season, 5000 kms or so.

[Chuck A.]

Motorcycles only have 2 tires. These bike are heavy. I run something that I can put trust in to carry the bike and my large arse. Only Shinko I ever run blew out at 2600 miles and was worn out,,,,,,, on a Vulcan 750. I run Metzleres 888's and love them. Commander II gripped good on dry pavement but around the South I found them slicker than snot when it was wet.

[tbmmbt]

Understand about the 2 tires thing. Just thought if either of those 2 brands had proven themselves then would think about them. Manufacturers tend to screw us with their prices of their tires. High prices no longevity. No reason for them costing as much as they do. Just looking for performance at a reasonable price.

[ringadingh]

Ive been using Shinkos the past few years now, and am quite satisfied with them. I get decent mileage from them, and they are as good as any other tire out there. I'll be ordering another rear tire for next spring.

[tbmmbt]

Have you tried a Shinko on the front yet? I went to the 130/90-16 from the 150 and tend to like the "feel" of that size better. If you have used a Shinko front what "name" Shinko was it? I was looking at the Shinko 777 HD Reinforced tire but I am open to what has worked for others.

[MAS Tequila]

I ran 3 sets of Shinnies on the Nomad.

Kendra’s have a rep for separating.

Shinko’s are the product if a South Korean company buying the molds Process from Yokohama.

So Shinko’s are the old Yokohama tires.

[tbmmbt]

Hi Mas, How is WWR going? Was your Shinkos the 777 or something else?

[ringadingh]

I use the HR777F HD Wide whitewall tires

[Tortuga]

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

I ran 3 sets of Shinnies on the Nomad.

Kendra’s have a rep for separating.

Shinko’s are the product if a South Korean company buying the molds Process from Yokohama.

So Shinko’s are the old Yokohama tires.

They may be Yoko molds but are they the same formula?

[MAS Tequila]

They bought the formulas and all the processes.

If you choose to think they’ve been adulterated, well then enjoy those Metzlers made in Brazil.

They are different.

I never ran Yokohama tires on a bike, so I can’t comment on that.

I will tell you that the Shinko’s were the best rain tire I ever ran.

They got me from south Florida to NC while riding through an actual tropical storm.

[tbmmbt]

What kind of mileage would someone expect out of the front Shinko 777? The Commander II that is on there now has 20k on it but almost down to the wear bars. If the Shinko gets close it would seem worth the chance but if it gets half then maybe a Commander II would be the way to go back to.

[VulcanJeff]

On a 1500 Classic, my old 130/90 Shinko 777 HD was well on its way to netting me 15k until I ran over a "link" from a chain link fence. The 150/80 I had on the back gave me 10k miles of service. I posted pics in a thread a couple years ago.